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FINAL REPORT 



TO THE 



I U.S. Centennial Commission \ 



ON THE STRUCTURES ERECTED FOR THE 



ViExNNA Universal Exhibition, 1873 1 



AND PREVIOUS 



EXHIBITIONS IN LONDON AND PARIS. 



BY 



I HENRY PETTIT, 

^ CIVIL ENGINEER, 

♦ Special Agent United States Centennial Commission. 



I PHILADELPHIA: > 

♦ ♦ 
t September, 1873. ♦ 

♦ ♦ 

♦ ♦ 
♦■♦•♦♦♦■♦•♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦-♦-♦•♦■♦♦♦♦•♦••♦■♦♦♦♦♦■♦•♦•♦•♦♦♦♦* ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ ♦■♦■•♦•♦♦♦♦♦♦ 



FINAL REPORT 



TO THE 



U.S. Centennial Commission 



ON THE STRUCTURES ERECTED FOR THE 



Vienna Universal Exhibition, isrs 



AND PREVIOUS 



EXHIBITIONS IN LONDON AND PARIS. 



HENRY PETTIT, 

CIVIL ENGINEER, 

Special Agent United States Centennial Commission^ 



PHILADELPHIA; 

September, 1873. 



Mclaughlin brothers, 

PRINTERS, 

112 and 114 South Third Street, 
Philadelphia. 



\^\<\ 

^s^^ 



Philadelphia, August 11th, 1873^ 



Hon. D. J. MORRELL, 

Chairman Executive Committee United States Centennial Commission^ * 

Dear Sir : 

I have the honor to present to you my Final 
Report on the Structures used for the Vienna Universal Exhibition of 1878. 
I have also arranged for reference, a short statement giving valuable data 
concerning the most important of previous English and French Exhibitions. 
Taking these in connection with my special reports, dated Vienna, April 4th to 
May 26th, inclusive, I trust you will find some information that may be of 
use to your Committee. 

I am, with great respect, 

Your obedient servant, 

HENRY PETTIT. 

Special Agent U. S. C. C. 



^ 



REPORT, 



An International Exhibition,- such as that now in operation at 
Vienna, may be said to resemble in its operation a series of smaller exhibi- 
tions for specific purposes, following each other in rapid succession for a 
period of say six months, during which time an immense central exhibit of 
the products of all nations is also being held in an Industrial Palace, a 
Machinery Hall, and numerous annexed buildings. It will at once be ob- 
vious, from this fact, that almost every conceivable interest may be brought 
into connection, and be made to take part in the ultimate success of a Uni- 
versal Exhibition ; and it is also self-evident that in order to insure ultimate 
success the various departments must be placed under the control of those 
who are fitted for the work, either by natural ability or previous experience. 

Every important Universal Exhibition thus far given by the leading 
nations of Europe, it will be found, has proven itself, in the end, to be of 
greater magnitude than its predecessor, and each General Management of 
previous large Exhibitions has endeavored to prepare itself for the great work 
by carefully examining all that has been done before. The United States 
Centennial Commission commenced its work with precisely this same inten- 
tion on the part of the Executive Committee, and as they have more infor- 
■mation and greater resources than any previous body in a similar position, 
it is most natural to expect that the Philadelphia Exhibition, on the occasion 
of the Centennial, will be as satisfactory as any that has thus far been held. 

If we have understood our mission to Europe aright, its object has been 
to assist the Executive Committee in obtaining useful information with re- 
gard to the technical questions involved in the engineering and architectural 
features of previous exhibitions, especially Vienna, 1873; ^^^ we would 
respectfully call attention to what will be at once acknowledged in this con- 
nection, viz. : that the mos/ valuable and interesting portion of such infor- 
mation will «^/ be found on the body of this report, but in the engineering 
and architectural works, translations, papers, drawings, photographs, litho- 
graphs, and other illustrations accompanying it. 

For the purpose of giving some faint conception of what has been done 
in Europe with regard to exhibitions, the following partial list of the most 
remarkable will be of use. The first Industrial Exhibition was held in 
France in 1798. The first International Industrial Exhibition was the one 
in Hyde Park, London, in 1851. France, at various places, in 1798, 1801,* 
1802, 1806, 1819, 1823, 1827, 1834, 1839, 1844, 1849, 1^55? 1867. Belgium, 
at Ghent, 1820. Prussia, at Berlin, 1844. Austria, at Vienna, 1846, 1873. 
England, at London, 185 1, 1862, since become annual, Birmingham, 1849, 
and at numerous provincial cities. Bavaria, at Munich, 1854. Holland, 
at Amsterdam, 1859. Ireland, at Dublin, 1829, triennial; 1865, Winter 
Garden. Russia, at Moscow, 1872. 

It is satisfactory to observe, however, that nearly all the essentially 
good points worthy of study, concerning the buildings used on the above 



6 LONDON, 1851. 

mentioned occasions, will be found embodied or suggested by the construc- 
tions used for the three largest and most successful, viz.: London, 1851, 
Paris, 1867, and Vienna,. 1873, ^^ ^^^ same time not omitting to examine 
London, 1862, and Paris, 1855. The Sydenham Palace may be considered 
as a second edition of the original 185 1 Palace, "enlarged and revised,'''' 
and the Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill, as ditto of the Exhibition Build- 
ing of 1862. Each of the three most successful exhibitions above mentioned, 
had buildings and arrangements radically different from each other, both as 
to general plan and details of construction, as to external appearance and 
internal working. Each exhibition was planned in a manner considered by 
the management at the time to be the best suited to the site and require- 
ments of the occasion, and each accomplished in a greater or less degree 
what was desired. 

We have arranged for reference some general data with regard to each 
of these five exhibitions, more particularly for the purpose of showing their 
relative sizes, and the cost of the several constructions. 

LONDON, 1 85 I. 

The first private meeting held on the subject of this Exhibition was at 
Buckingham Palace, on June 30th, 1849, ^-nd the Exhibition was opened to 
the public on May ist, 1851. The intermediate period being one year and 
ten months. It is interesting to observe from some contract drawings 
accompanying this report, that the actual work upon the buildings proper 
must have been done between July ist, 1850, and May ist, 1851 — ten 
months. (Query, How much can the United States do, twenty-three years 
later, for her first great exhibition, in two years?) The site for the building 
in Hyde Park was a rectangular strip of ground containing about 26 acres, 
and approximately 2300 feet long, by 500 feet wide. The total area of 
ground floor in the building was 17.8 acres, and that of the galleries, 5 acres. 

It was built principally of cast and wrought iron, glass and wood, great 
saving of both time and money being accomplished by simplicity of details, 
and reduplication of parts. The total quantities used were as follows: 

Cast iron, . . SjSoo tons. 

Wrought iron, . 550 " 

Glass, .... 896,000 superficial feet, and weighing 400 tons. 

Wood, . . . 600,000 cubic feet. 

The cost of this building and its fittings was ^^Ti 70,000, or say 
^850,000.00, being about 3 shillings, 5 pence, per square foot of superficial 
area covered. It must be remembered however, that the contract under 
which the building was erected did not provide for its absolute sale to the 
Royal Commissioners, but was for "use and waste only." After the Exhi- 
bition closed, the building itself remained the property of the contractors. 
Had it been otherwise, the total cost would have been increased at least 
^100,000. The characteristic features of this building, which excited 
universal admiration and wonder at the time, were the "airy lightness of the 
whole structure," and the superb vistas afforded by a nave 1800 feet long, 
72 feet wide, and 64 feet high, intersected near the centre of its length by 
a transept 408 feet long, 72 feet wide, and 108 feet high, to the crown of 
the semi-cylindrical roof. 

Accompanying this report will be found the following books and drawings, &c. having 
reference to this building : 

1st. A complete work called " Das Grosse Industrie-Ausstellungs-Gebaude, in 
London, 1851 ;" published by Forster, in Vienna, giving text and drawings of the plans 
and details of construction of the buildinir. 



PARIS, 1855. 



7 



2d. A set of 1 6 lithographs from the private collection of Messrs, Vincent Brooks, 
Day & Co. London, showing the various contracts entered into by the Royal Commissioners 
when carrying out the work. 

3d. A set of 9 large colored lithographic perspectives showing both exterior and 
interior views of the various parts of the building as it appeared on different occasions. 

4th, A section of one of the Parliamentary Maps, showing Hyde Park and surroundings. 

PARIS, 1855. 

It is extremely difficult to convey a correct idea of this Exhibition 
without referring to illustrations of some kind, owing to the fact that the 
buildings varied in form and construction, and were irregularly located on 
the ground. 

The following data will however serve our present purpose: The prin- 
cipal edifice was an extensive rectangular building, 820 feet long, by 360 
feet wide, exclusive of the projections, in which were the stairways. The 
whole building covered about 8 acres of ground. It was situated on the 
south side of the Champs Elysies, and is now known as the Palais de 
r Industrie. It was erected by a company in 1852 to 1855, ^^^ ^^^^ intended 
to be a permanent construction. It therefore affords an example of how the 
French people erected a permanent memorial building as it were, in con- 
nection with a Universal Exhibition. It was built of stone, has galleries 
around the main Exhibition Hall, and roof of iron and glass. The present 
Director of the Building told me that experience had proven a great mistake 
to have been made in this latter respect, by providing too inuch glass and 
over-head light, and that much trouble had been experienced in consequence. 
All the other buildings used for this exhibition were temporary in char- 
acter, viz. : 

An annex for machinery, 4000 feet long by 85 feet wide, covering 
about 7.8 acres. This building was not expected to be so ungainly in pro- 
portions when the exhibition was first projected. Its greater length was 
essential to afford space that was required as the work advanced. 

A circular building 330 feet in diameter, known as the Panorama 
Rotunda, covering about 2 acres. 

A Palace of Fine Arts, of irregular plan, located at a considerable dis- 
tance from the Industrial Palace, and covering over 4 acres. 

The cost of these buildings was, so far as can be known, as follows : 

Palace of Industry, 12,500,000 francs. 

Machinery Annex, 2,602,000 '^ 

Rotunda and Gallery, 607,000 ^' 

Fine Arts Building, 1,051,700 '' 

Supplementary construction, 105,800 " 

Total, 16,866,500 '' 

Say ^3.373.300. 

Accompanying this report will be found the following sources of information with 
reference to this exhibition : 

The text and atlas of the " Allgemeinen Bauzeitung" for 1856, giving plans and details 
of the vai-ious buildings. 

A collection of 10 lithographs of various sizes, giving exterior views of the whole 
exhibition, and interior views of the Palace and Machinery Annex. 

LONDON, 1862. 

The principal part of the ground upon which the buildings for this 
exhibition stood was a tract about 16 acres in extent, which had formed a 
portion of the site purchased at South Kensington for the exhibition of 185 1. 



8 LONDON, 1862. 

The main edifice was in general outline a rectangle, 1150 feet by 650 
feet, but with greater width of 750 feet at the ends. It covered an entire 
area of 17^ acres, and was intended to be permanent in its construction. 
When preparing the design, provision was made to include the picture 
gallery, and care was taken to make the whole arrangement suitable for 
future international exhibitions. The exterior walls were built of brickwork, 
and hollow cast iron columns were used for the interior supports. The roof 
had both wooden and iron principals, and included two octagonal domes of 
160 feet diameter each, with 260 feet external height to the top of the finials. 

Adjoining this permanent building were two temporary annexes for the 
machinery department, covering an additional area of 7 acres, which, taken 
in connection with the main building,, made the total area 24}^ acres. 
These buildings enclosed on three sides the Royal Horticultural Society's 
Gardens. 

In the principal structure the most impressive interior effect was 
obtained from the nave, 800 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 100 feet high to 
the ridge of the roof, over each end of which rose a dome 160 feet in 
diameter, and 200 feet clear interior height. These domes were at that 
time the largest ever constructed, St. Peter's, at Rome, being 157^ feet, 
and St. Paul's, at London, 112 feet. The dome of the Capitol, at Wash- 
ington, has 94 feet S}4 inches interior diameter, and clear interior height 
of 180 feet 3 inches. The top of the figure of Liberty is 287 feet 53^" 
above the ground at east front of the building. The domes on the London 
1862 Exhibition building formed the most difficult and expensive part of 
the whole work. They weighed 120 tons each, and required an immense 
amount of timber scaffolding. 

LIST OF SOME OF THE QUANTITIES USED IN THIS EXHIBITION. 

Bricks, . . . 17,250,000 
Cement and plaster, 47,105 bushels. 
Cast iron, . , 4j953 tons. 



Wrought iron 
Timber, 
Timber, 
Glass, . 
Stone, . . 
Stone, . . 



2,269 tons. 
439,178 cubic feet. 
2,238,722 lineal feet 9"x3" in plank, battens, &c. 
667,542 superficial feet. 

6,877 cubic feet. 
62,831 superficial feet 6" thick and under. 



Owing, however, to the omission of any expensive ornamentation, the 
actual cost was exceedingly low for the amount accomplished. The follow- 
ing are the principal items : 

Contractors for the buildings, 320,680 

Designs, drawings, and superintendence, . . . 8,323 
Roads and approaches, ^3,359 

£342,362 

The total cost of the Exhibition, including expenses during the period 
it was open, was ^459,637 — say ^2,298,185.00. 

Accompanying this Report will be found the following, having reference to this Exhi- 
bition : 

A general plan of the entire Exhibition and grounds, with the Royal Commissioners' 
Report. 

Ditto, with further information in the "Allgemeinen Bauzeitung," Vienna. 



PARIS, 1867. 



A set of three large lithographs giving perspective views of the building from Royal 
Horticultural Society Gardens, &c., See. 

A set of four rare photographs showing the interior. A most valuable description of 
the technical work involved in this Exhibition will be found in " Captain Phillpott's Lecture 
on the construction of the building," reprinted with additional matter as Appendix No. V., 
in the Report of the Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1 862, published in 1863. 

PARIS, 1867. 

''This Exhibition was nearly four times as large as any that had pre- 
ceded it, and was much more comprehensively organized." As, however, 
the general features of the constructions are so perfectly familiar to all 
parties interested in enterprises of a similar nature, we propose in this place 
simply to give a few data for comparison. At the end of this report will 
be found stated some of the many important considerations which this 
remarkable Exhibition suggests. 

The Champs de Mars was rectangular in outline, being 3375 feet by 
1545 feet — an area equal to 119 acres. 

The longer axis of the building, 1,608 feet. 

The shorter " " 1,247 " 

Length of straight galleries between the semi-circular ends, . 360 " 

Circumference of the whole building, 4,800 " 

Total area within the outer limits of the building, . . . . 37.8 acres. 

Of this the centre garden occupied, 1.5 " 

Amount remaining under roof, 3^- 3 ** 

This area under roof was distributed as follows : 



Promenade around the centre garden, 
I.. "Gallerie de I'histoire du travail," 28 

2. Gallery of Fine Arts, 49 

20 
16 
76 
16 
76 
16 
76 



17 feet wide, covering .48 acres. 

.88 " 



1.38 

•83 

.72 

3-9 
.92 

4.9 
I.I 

5.9 
10.4 



3. Corridor for the Liberal Arts, 
Passage way, 

4. Corridor for furniture. 
Passage way, 

5. Corridor for textile fabrics. 
Passage way, 

6. Corridor for raw materials, . 

7. Gallery for machines, 115 

Gallery for restaurants, .... 33 

The area of the Park and Reserved Gardens around the Industrial 
Palace was 81 acres. 

The area of the Island of Billancourt used for the trials of Agricultural 
Machines was 52 acres. 

TIME. 

An imperial decree placed the work under the direction of an imperial 
commission of sixty members, in June, 1865. The ground was given up by 
the Government, September 28th, 1865. The first iron pillar was raised 
April 3d, 1866. The work was no^ entirely finished at the time of the 
opening ceremonies, April ist, 1867. 

COST. 

The total cost of the Exposition Building was 11,783,024 francs, say 
$2,356,605.00 

This was at the rate of 7 francs, 14 centimes, or say 1^1.43 per square 
foot of surface covered. 



lO 



PARIS, 1861.— VIENNA, 1878. 



The expenditure was for specific purposes as follows — taking 5 francs 
to the dollar : 



Terraces, Masonry and Wood Work, 1,854, 7 68f. 23c. 

Iron Work, 7,970,799^ 08c. 

Roofing — Zinc, and Glass, . . . 874,070^ 8ic. 

Painting, Plastering, Decoration, . 567,89of. 89c. 
Flooring, flagging, doors, and various 

arrangements in the building, . 205,697f. 34c. 

Personal and General Expenses, . 309,798^ 58c. 



$370,953-65 
^594,159-82 

174,814-17 
113,578.18 

41,139-47 
61,959.72 



Total, ii,783,o24f. 93c. $2,356,605.01 

The sale of the building after the Exhibition closed realized only 
1,200,000 francs, or $240,000, (see extract from Baron Schwarz-Senborn's 
lecture, page 25.) 

Accompanying this Report will be found the following : 

The Report of the Imperial Commission, giving a complete description of the building 
in all its parts, and the official plan of the Exhibition. 

The International Jury Reports — 13 volumes. 

A complete work by Anton Hanninger, Engineer, published by Waldheim, in Vienna, 
giving text and details of the construction of the building. 

A collection of 40 panoramic photographs, lithographs, &c., &c., showing the Exhibi- 
tion both as a whole and in detail, 

VIENNA, 1873. 

(Continuation of previous Reports from Vienna, April 4th to May 26th, 1873, inclusive.) 

INDUSTRIAL PALACE. 

Length of building, end to end, 3,000 feet. 

Width at centre permanent building, 677 

Width at intermediate galleries, 572 

Diameter of Rotunda on centre line of columns, . 343 *^ 9 inches. 

Width of half gallery around the Rotunda, ... 40 

Total clear width under Rotunda and half gallery, . 413 

Interior height of Rotunda to base of large lantern, 158 

Ditto to top of large lantern, 215 

Exterior height to top of crown, 276 

Angle of roof with the horizontal, 31"^ 

Width of central nave, 84 

Width of cross transepts, 51 

Length of vista in nave on each side of the Rotunda, 1,246 

Size of courts between the transepts, each, . . . ioo'x24o' 

Number of such courts, 28 

MACHINE HALL. 

Length of building, 2,620 feet. 

Width of building, 165 " 

Centre avenue, width in the clear, 92 ** 

Side avenues, " *' 28 " 

AREAS. 

Industrial Place : — 

Area under Rotunda, , 

^' under Rotunda and half gallery, 3.4 



2.2 acres. 



VIENNA, 1873. II 

Area of entire rectangular permanent portion, 677 feet 

square, z'/zcluding the four courts, 10.5 acres. 

Ditto, ^^cluding the four courts, 7.0 '' 

'' of temporary portion of palace, including the 28 

courts, 32,3 ** 

Ditto, (fjccluding the 28 courts, 17.0 ^' 

Total area of Palace excluding courts, 24.0 '' 

Total area of Palace including all courts, viz : area capa- 
ble of being put under roof, 42.8 '* 

Actual area under roof June ist, 1873, 35-° '* 

Machinery Hall : — 

Area covered, . • 9 acres. 

Fine Art Gallery : — 

Area covered and affording 30,800 feet of available wall 

length, 1.5 acres. 

Pavilion for amateurs — area, -4 " 

Museum — area, -4 " 

Agricultural Buildings. 

Three large frame structures, covering .... 6.0 acres. 

Area enclosed by the fencing, 286 " 

Total area on the Prater available for exhibition purposes, . 573 " 

The total weight of all wrought iron work for the Rotunda is 4000 
tons. The columns rest upon foundations made in concrete (see first report) 
which were built in October, 187 1. The contract for the Rotunda was 
taken by M. Harkort, a noted lattice-girder bridge builder of Harkorten, 
Prussia, and it stipulated that the supply of iron should commence on the 
first of January, 1872, and that the whole building should be finished by 
September 15th, of the same year. It is but fair to state, however, in this 
connection, that if the Rotunda had been built in accordance with the 
original sketches of Mr. Scott Russell, the weight of wrought iron 
necessary would have been but little more than /la/f the above amount. 

The following may be interesting for comparison : The dome of the 
Capitol at Washington, by Mr. Thomas U. Walter, architect, contains 
8,878,743 pounds, or 4439 tons of 2000 pounds each of east iron. The 
total cost was $950,000, which covered all brickwork and masonry, and a 
picture by Brumidi, ;^4o,ooo. It would be fair to assume that the actual 
cost of the iron work did not exceed 8 cents per pound. 

(For cost of Vienna Rotunda, &c., see accompanying estimate.) 

SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE. 

The system of sewerage throughout the buildings and grounds, together 
with the most important work connected with the retiring rooms of the 
Exhibition, was designed and executed by Mr. George Jennings, Sanitary 
Engineer of Lambeth, London, under the personal supervision of Mr. John 
Phillips, C. E. The intention of the Austrian authorities at first was to 
allow each party to have their own cess-pool and separate arrangements, 
but a very short experience of the consequences compelled the adoption of 
a complete system which should be able to include all buildings within the 
enclosure. Stoneware pipes were used, with the joints laid in Portland 
cement. The main sewer leads into the Danube canal at a point say 1)4 
miles from the Exhibition. The various lines of pipe, sizes, grades, &c., we 
have shown upon the Situation Plan of the Exhibition. The Rotunda, roof, 
and inner^sideof the centre rectangle of the Palace is drained into 18 



12 VIENNA, 1873. 

sunken wells. A 15" pipe, having four smaller ones leading into it, con- 
nects with each well. Each of these smaller pipes carries off its portion of 
the water which comes from the roof, after it has passed down through the 
large wrought iron boxed girders which support the Rotunda. There are 
four and sometimes five of these wells in each court. The arrangement is 
remarkably simple and satisfactory, for it must be remembered in this con- 
nection that the Rotunda, roof, and gallery has an immense exterior surface. 

The machinery department has each boiler house drained into a sunken 
well located between the boiler house and the machinery hall. The ma- 
chinery hall itself is drained at numerous points into wells located on the 
south side of the building. 

The grades for the sewerage system are merely nominal, one in 700, 
and one in 1000, but sufficient to allow thorough washing out by water from 
a hose several times each week. 

Cisterns were introduced in all the retiring rooms for the purpose of 
keeping uniform the strong pressure of water which comes from the 'Miigh 
service. ' ' 

WATER SUPPLY (ADDITIONAL.) 

The water tower, elevation no feet, is located near the west end of the 
machinery hall. The tank had capacity of 10,000 cubic feet. The water 
is forced up into this tank through the centre pipe of the tower, and flows 
out at the top by several nozzles. It passes down through two of the out- 
side supporting columns, which act as stand pipes, and are connected at the 
lower end with the one main which supplies the large system throughout the 
grounds. An accompanying drawing shows the system. The two steam 
pumps used for supplying this tower were -manufactured d\ Brun, the capital 
of the Austrian Provence Mahren, by the ''Bruner Machinen Falricks Ges- 
sellschaft," 1873. They were arranged to work either separately or together, 
and can force into the tower 18,000 cubic feet per hour. When we last 
visited these pumps, about May 26th, they were working from 16 to 18 
hours per day, and supplying 300,000 cubic feet per day to the Exhibition. 
They were performing in fact extra duty, which legitimately belonged to 
the pumps of the "low pressure" system, the latter not being in working 
order up to that date. The pump house was located at the northwest end 
of the machine hall, and the well from which the water was drawn was 
immediately in the rear of the pump house. This well was 20 feet in diam., 
and extended down 16 feet below the water level, say 26 feet below level of 
ground. It was lined with brick, resting upon a cast iron ring at the 
bottom. The method used in sinking this well was ingenious. The supply 
of water is apparently unlimited. The pumps and tower were manufactured 
by the same parties. 

The two steam pumps for the "low pressure" service were located at 
the east end of the machinery hall. These were manufactured by "Eug. 
Prunier. Ingenieur et Conducteur, Lyon, France." The superitjrity 
claimed for them was their ability to supply with rapidity, their capacity 
being upwards of 20,000 cubic feet per hour. No well was necessary in 
connection with this system, as the pumps sucked the water directly from 
the ground itself, and forced it into a neighboring tank placed at an eleva- 
tion 20 feet above the ground ; capacity of tank, cubic feet. From this 
tank a line of pipes passed along the northern side of the machinery hall, 
and connections were made from it into the boiler house. This line of 
pipes emptied at the east end into the Henstadel Wasser, and a branch led 
into the agricultural department. The above system was not in working 
order up to May 25th, 1873. 

In the rear of the Jury Pavilion were two steam pumps manufactured 



VIENNA, 1878. 13 

by **Gebruder, Decker & Co., Canstatt, No. 401, Patent 1873," ''^ 
Witemburg, near Stutgart. These pumps drew their supply of water from 
a well 12 feet in diameter, and sunken 20 feet deep, and working by means 
of an air chamber, were able to force up about 1 0,000 cubic feet per hour. 
This arrangement supplied all the fountains, and forced the water to a 
height of 70 feet through a nozzle 2^ inches in diameter. The nozzle 
most frequently seen in use for the large fountains was composed of one 
centre opening 35 millemeters in diameter, and 16 smaller openings around 
it of 15 millemeters diameter each. The water, after being forced through 
the fountains, was conducted back to the supply well and used again. 

The above three systems of water supply were arranged to work either 
separately or, in case of emergency, in connection with each other. 

RAILWAY COMMUNICATION (ADDITIONAL.) 

The ^'Stadtsbahn" and "Nordbahn" are connected by a line of single 
track which passes directly in front of the Exhibition R. R. station, an 
additional siding being introduced in the immediate vicinity of the station. 
From the station east, this track was built by the Stadtsbahn, the rest by 
the ''Nordbahn." About three times as much freight for the Exhibition 
passed over the Nordbahn as from the Stadtsbahn, and strange to observe, 
there was but one main switch from the east or Stadtsbahn end, over which 
all freight for the Exhibition was obliged to pass. The arrangement an- 
swered its purpose however, up to about April 15th, over half a million 
cubic meters of gravel and building materials having been brought for the 
work on the Exhibition. During the two weeks previous to the opening, 
however, it proved entirely inadequate, so far as affording facilities for 
unloading in the immediate vicinity of the buildings. It was thought by 
the railroad officials, who evidently did not appreciate at that time what an 
immense business their Exhibition would occasion, that having made pro- 
vision for unloading 250 cars per day easily, it was all that would be neces- 
sary. During the great rush, however, previous to the grand opening, 
experience enabled them to unload, when working night and day, 300 cars. 
The method adopted was about as follows : The wagons were arranged 
during the night, so that exhibitors could unload their boxes the first thing 
in the morning. Say 150 wagons were unloaded by noon, and then com- 
menced the removal of empty boxes to the warehouses, and the bringing in 
of other freight. Four locomotives were at work night and day in the yard 
with these trains, and two more at the Stadtsbahn and Nordbahn ends of 
the road for similar purpose. 1300 wagons were frequently on hand at 
once, waiting to be unloaded during greatest rush, and required four to five 
days' time to distribute the accumulation. Much time was occupied in 
being obliged to send individual cars to separate parts of the building, and 
even separate articles from the same car to different points, thus delays 
occurred at the most critical time. The building itself was well provided 
with entrances, but the railroad facilities were not such as enabled them to 
be used to the best advantage. Experience proved that at least four tracks 
on each side of the Industrial Palace, and two on each side of the Machine 
Hall, would not have been too much for the work. There were nearly three 
German miles, equal to 15 English miles of track laid in the Prater in 
connection with the Exhibition work. One great difficulty undoubtedly 
was in the use of only one connection at the Stadtsbahn end. High grades 
and short curvature prevented any communication frohi the Nordbahnhof 
directly to the Exhibition. 

A tramway for street cars was laid from the Prater Stern to a point near 



14 



VIENNA, 1873. 



the northwest end of the machinery hall ; also over the Sophien Bruke to 
the Haupt Allee. 

The accompanying papers and drawings give important information 
with regard to the Machinery Department, shafting, &c., &c., workmen's 
houses, restaurants, blacksmith shop, sanitary arrangements, watch houses, 
barracks, &c., &c., &c. 

COST. 
Detailed Estimate of the Cost of the Vienna Exhibition. 

The principal items in this estimate are very nearly correct, as they 
have been compiled from the contracts made for the work. The accuracy 
of others cannot, of course, be known positively until long after the Exhi- 
bition closes. 

Taking one florin as = 50 cents, we have : — 

FLORINS. DOLLS. CTS. 

1 Industrial Palace, _ - - - 
The Rotunda alone cost 1,000,000 florins, 

or ^500,000. 

2 Machinery Hall, . _ - . 

3 Agricultural Hall, _ _ _ - 

4 Fine Art Gallery, _ - - _ 

5 Amateur Gallery, _ - _ - 

6 Emperor's Pavilion, - - - - 

7 Covering of the Courts, . - - 

8 Jury Pavilion, - - - - - 

9 Manager's buildings, offices, 

10 Postal, telegraph, and custom buildings, 

1 1 Six large guard houses, 

12 Ten small guard houses, 

13 Infantry Barracks, _ - . - 

14 Cavalry Barracks, - - _ _ 

15 Sutler's department, - - - - 

16 Fencing of Exhibition grounds, covered 

ways, &c., - . - - 

17 Water supply, including all forcing en- 

gines and water tower, 

18 Arrangements for working the Machinery 

Hall, such as boiler houses, driving 
engines, shafting, foundations, work- 
shops, &c., - _ - _ 

19 Provisionary buildings, 

20 Expenses of the building office, including 

salaries, gas rent, coal, &c., 

21 Preliminary work of the building office, 

drawings, &c., - - - - 

22 Building requisites, engineering instru- 

ments, stationery, &c., 

23 Delivery of the Rotunda, freight, &c., 

24 Drainage and water closets, &c., 

25 Fountains, _ - _ _ _ 

26 Expenses for telegraph and gas arrange- 

ments, - - - - - 

27 New annexes, - . - - - 

28 Police service, gardens, and grading, rail- 

ways, &c., and military labor, - 369,479.. ., 184,739.50 



,289,018 


3,144,509.00 


951^448 


475,724.00 


670,000 


335,000.00 


742,000 


371,000.00 


422,600 


211,300.00 


20,000 


10,000.00 


580,000 


290,000.00 


144,000 


72,000.00 


75,042 


37,521,00 


53,477 


26,738.50 


34,989 


17,494-50 


40,904 


20,452.00 


64,500 


32,250.00 


14,979 


7,489.50 


8, 700 


4.350.00 


292,000 


146,000.00 


340,000 


170,000.00 


603,400 


301,700.00 


15,000 


7,500.00 


345>ooo 


172,500.00 


40,000 


20,000.00 


1 2,000 


6,000.00 


22,800 


11,400.00 


147,000 


73,500.00 


25,000 


12,500.00 


36,800 


18,400.00 


500,000 


250,000.00 



VIENNA, 1878. 



15 



29 
30 

31 
32 
33 

34^ 
35 



36 



Terracing, streets, roads, places of wait- 
ing for cabs and carriages, - - ^ 

Sanitary provision — medical treatment by 
army physicians, _ - . 

Cashier's Office — a service at entrances, 

Territorial indemnifications, 

Sundries, ------ 

General expenses of the central direction, 

Price, difference of bricks, including tax 
of consumption paid to the munici- 
pality when passing through the city 
gates, - - - - . - 

Reserve fund, 



48,931 


374,465.50 


4,681 


2,340.50 


4,314 
12,156 

69,366 

53,000 


2,157.00 

6,078.00 

34,683.00 
776,500.00 



95,000 
352,416 



47,500.00 

176,208.00 



Florins, 15,700,000 ^7,850,000.00 



LIST OF BUILDINGS WITHIN THE ENCLOSURE. 
From the Official Plan of the General Direction of the Exhibition. 

Official Plan of the World^s Exhibition, Vienna, 1873. — Edition of the General Direction. 
— Translated from the German, by W. H. Burr, C. E. 

MAIN EXHIBITION — BUILDINGS AND SIDE BUILDINGS. 



I. Industry Palace with the Rotunda. 

II. Machinery Hall. 

III. Art Gallery. 

IV. Pavilion for Art. 

V. Exhibition of Amateurs. 

VI. Western Agricultural Hall. 

VII. Eastern Agricultural Hall. 

VIII. Jury Pavilion. 

IX. Emperor's Pavilion. 



X. Offices of the Direction. 

XI. Postal Telegraph and Customs. 

XII. Barracks. 

XIII. Building for the Exhibition of Horses. 

XIV. Railway Station. 
XV. Guard Houses. 

XVI. Water Closets. 

XVII. Covered Ways of Communication. 



THE PLAN IS DIVIDED INTO 4 ZONES. EACH ZONE HAS ITS OWN NUMBERING. 

FIRST ZONE. 

1 American Restaurant. 

\\ American School House. 

2 Beer Hall of the Citizen Brewery Pilsen. 

3 Beer Hall of the Pilsen Joint Stock Brewery. 

4 Hungarian Wine House, (Czarda.) 

5 American Drinking Hall, 

6 Pavilion of the "New Free Press." 

7 • Swiss Confectioners, by Possard of Ziirich. 

8 Pavilion of the Musical Box Manufactory, by Heller, in Bern. 

9 Beer Hall of the Brewery of Liesing, near Vienna. 

10 French Restaurant. 

1 1 Pavilion of Prince Monaco. 

12 Pavilion of the Finsponk Domain. 

13 Swedish School House. 

14 Swedish Army Exhibition. • 

15 Swedish Hunting Pavilion. 

16 Gothic Mausoleum, by Wasserburger. 

17 Boiler House for the Water Supply, Brothers Decker & Co. of Canstatt. 

18 Kiosque of the Southern Railway. 

19 Kiihn's Portable House, (dwelling.) 

20 Pavilion of the 1st Austrian Savings Bank. 



* This is the item of expense which occasioned so much severe criticism by the press 
of the country, and in regard to which the most spirited debates took place in the Austrian 
Parliament. Accompanying this Report will be found the record of the final debate. 



1 6 VIENNA, 1873. 



21 Mr. Stark's Pavilion, 

22 Pavilion of the Little Child. 

23 Restauration of the Brothers Provengaux, Paris. 

24 Reading Room, | 

25 Restaurant, lof Natale Bififi, from Milan. 

26 Wine House, J 

27 " Eisen Hof," Hall for the Exhibition of Metal Industry. 

28 Pavilion of the Austrian Healing Springs. 

29 Pavilion of Tobacco and Cigar Specialities. 

30 Pavilion of the Perlmoser Cement Ware Manufactory of J. Neumiiller, in Nussdorf. 

31 Russian Restaurant, by Engel, in St. Petersburg, 

32 Wine House of Steiermark, (Austrian Province,) of the Steiermark Vinyard Company 

of Gratz. 

33 Russian Dwelling-House. 

34 Exhibition ot the Austrian Lloyd. 

35 Wigwam. Restaurant. 

36 Iron Forcing House, by R. Ph. Wagner. 

37 Palace of the Viceroy of Egypt. 

38 Little Japan — Buildings and Gardens. 

39 Dr. Hardt's Oriental Circle. ^ 

40 Turkish Dwelling-House. 

41 Tui'kish Bazaar. 

42 Turkish Coffee House. 

43 Persian Dwelling-House. 

44 Exhibition of the Imperial and Royal Ministry of Marine. 

45 Lighthouse, by Sautter & Co. of Paris. 

46 House of the Photographic Association. 

47 Dairy of the Imperial and Royal Farming Co. 

48 Pavilion for the Reception of the Sick. 

49 Building Court. 

50 Italian Restaurant — Iron House, by S. C. Hemming & Co. of London. 

51 Exhibition of the Imperial and Royal Horticultural Society. 

52 Pavilion of the Iron Furniture Manufactory, of Quittner & Herzog. 

53 Gardeners' Dwelling. 

SECOND ZONE. 

1 Lighthouse. 

2 Fountain. Sultan Achmed II. 

3 Triumphal Arch of the Wienerberg Brick Manufactory. 

4 Russian Peasants' House. 

5 Pump House. 

6 Iron Church. 

7 Swedish Dairy. 

8 Pavilion of the Administration of the Royal Hungarian " Woods and Forests." 

9 Pavilion of the Steiermark Owners of Woodlands. 
ID Saxon Peasants' House. 

1 1 Szekler '* " 

12 Austrian School " 

13 Vorarlberg Peasants' House. 

14 Austrian Gymnasium. 

15 Pavilion for Glass Painting. 

16 Slovatian Peasants' House. 

17 Croatian " " 

18 Roumanian " " 

-Q ^ „ 4< ^^ \ From the neighborhood of Presburg. 

THIRD ZONE. 

1 American Restaurant. 

2 Vienna Bakery, by Roman Uhl. 

3 English Workman's Dwelling House. 

4 Pavilion for Seed. 

5 Water Tower for the High Water Service. 

6 Iron House, by S. C. Hemming & Co., London. 

7 Swedish Restaurant. 
8 
9 



Swedfsh ^"^ } ^^'^^^ Exhibition. 



VIENNA, 1873. 



»7 



10 Norwegian Garden Kiosque. 

11 German Teaching Pavilion. 

12 Germany's Pavilion of Industry. 

13 German Exhibition of Mining Industry. 

14 Tasting Room of the Drelier Beer Brewery. 

15 Pavilion of the Duke August of Coburg Gotha. 

16 Pavilion of Prince Schwarzenberg. 

17 Pavilion Mauthner. 

18 Stable Building, by R. Ph. Wagner. 

19 Curtis Obelisk of Cement. 

20 Little House of Artificial Stone, by Chailly. 

21 Vorderberg "j 

22 Innerberg > Exhibition of Mining Industry. 

23 Karntner J 

24 Pavilion of the Joint Stock Brewery of Silberegg. (Karntner). 

25 Joint Stock Machine Building Company, formerly Danek & Co., Prague. 

26 Tar and Asphalte, by J. Bosch. 

27 Building Ornaments of Zinc, by Vine. Wenzel. 

28 Steffen's Exhibition of Machinery. 

29 Rothschild's Bridge Building. 

30 " Machinery Exhibit. 

31 Slate Exhibit, by Jno. Liebieg. 

32 Wood Ware, by Schuberth. 
2,Z States Railroad Pavilion. 

34 English Restaurant, by Abel Moser and Posse. (Iron House.) 

35 Pavilion of the Joint Stock Company for Bridge and Street Building. 

36 Tyrolese House. (Wares of Carved Wood.) 

37 Additional Exhibition : Contributions to the History of Trades and Inventions, and 

Pavilion for Women's Work. 

38 Pavilion. 

39 Pavilion of the Imperial and Royal Private Austrian Danube Steam Navigation Co. 

40 Alsatian Peasant House. 

41 Exhibition of the Imperial and Royal Ministry of Agriculture. 

42 Wine Tasting Hall of all lands. 

43 vSacher's Restaurant. 

44 Pavilion of the Joint Stock Company for Forest Industry. 

45 Pavilion of the Archduke Albert, 

FOURTH ZONE. 

1 Bakery by Heilfinger. 

2 Boiler House. 

3 American Boiler House. 

4 English Workman's Dwelling House. 

5 " Boiler House. 

6 " Workman's Dwelling House. 

7 French Boiler House. 

8 English Gas Factory. 

9 Gas Company, limited. 

10 Belgian Workman's Dwelling House. 

1 1 Machinery Workshop. 

12 Swiss Boiler House. 

13 Belgian Boiler House. 

14 Pavilion of the World's Trade. 

15 German Boiler House. 

16 Germany's Pavilion for Brick Kilns and Ice Machines. 

17 Austrian Boiler House. 

18 Pavilion of the Northern Railway. 

19 " " North West Railway. 

20 Boiler House for the Water Supply. 

21 Pavilion Ringhofer. 

LIST OF PAPERS, DRAWINGS, ILLUSTRATIONS, &C., CONCERNING THE VIENNA EXHIBITION 
OF 1873, ACCOMPANYING THIS REPORT. 

Translations from the German, by Mr. W. H. Burr, C. E., of Baron Schwarz- 
Senborn's lecture before the Engineers' and Architects' Association ot Vienna; "Notes 



1 8 VIENNA, 1878. 

concerning the Great Rotunda," by Inspector Heinrich Schmidt; "The Building for 
the Exhibition of 1873," ^'^"^ the Journal of the Engineers' and Architects' Association. 

A complete set of the official Programmes of the Exhibition. Special orders of the 
General Direction. 

A complete set of the forms, blanks, drawings, &c., used by the British Commission in 
transacting business with exhibitors in their own department, and with the Austrian General 
Direction. Presented by P. Cunliff Owen and A, I. R. Trendell, of the Royal British 
Commission. 

A series of articles written by Mr. Geo. C. V, Holmes, resident Engineer of Mr. 
Scott Russell, at Vienna, giving full detailed description, with accompanying drawings, 
of the construction of the Exhibition buildings. Published in London "Engineering'"' 
from January 3d to May 1 6th, 1873. 

Throughout both volumes XV. and XVI. of " Engineering" will be found very valua 
ble contributions concerning the technical part of the Exhibition. A complete work devotee 
to the same purpose will be issued by MESSRS. Maw & Dredge, editors of " Engineering," 
after the Exhibition closes. 

A set of 80 lithographic working drawings of the Exhibition buildings. Presented by 
Baron Schwarz-Senborn. 

A collection of 130 photographs taken by the Vienna Photographic Association, show- 
ing the progress of the work and final appearance of the Exhibition. 

A collection of 33 specimens of the canvas or jute printed decorations of the various 
buildings, being pieces of the actual decoration for the Palace. 

A collection of 1 1 chromo lithographs, showing the appearance of the city of Vienna 
during the continuance of the Exhibition. 

Maps, catalogues, flags, &c., &c. 
Also : — 

Published works, lithographs, photographs, and illustrations with regard to the fol- 
lowing : 

Munich Exhibition, 1854. 

Sydenham Palace, London. 

Alexandra Palace, London. 

Art Treasurers' Exhibition, Manchester. 

Conservatory, Covent Garden Theatre. 

Oxford Music Hall, London, &c., &c., &c. 



A FEW PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS 



CONCERNING THE 



United States Centenmal Buildings, 



PHILADELPHIA, 
1876. 



We will not occupy time by restating the main points already decided 
by the Committee on Plans and Architecture, but simply present, under as 
few heads as possible, some suggestions in regard to the most essential 
matters for consideration at this stage of the Centennial work, and in 
course of our remarks make frequent allusion to what has been already 
done abroad in settling similar difficulties. 

THE PREPARATION OF AMPLE ACCOMMODATION FOR ALL EXHIBITS THAT MAY 

BE SENT. 

As one of the great ends for which International Exhibitions are held, 
is to properly display the various objects contained in the buildings, it will 
at once be acknowledged, that in order to do so satisfactorily, it is of no 
small importance to have as much information as possible both as to the 
number and kind of the exhibits that must be provided for. In this respect 
no other International Exhibition has ever been undertaken with so little 
information and precedent, from native soicrces, as the International at 
Philadelphia in 1876. 

Therefore, owing to this primary fact: that it is impossible to know 
positively, at this early stage of the work, the exact kind of exhibits that 
will be sent, or the area in square feet each State or Country may need, the 
buildings should be so designed as to meet further requirements that may 
arise during the progress of the work. The importance of this was fully 
appreciated in designing the buildings at Vienna. 

When the original sketches for the Industrial Palace were first pre- 
sented for criticism, it was distinctly stated that the expansion or adapta- 
tion of the building to future requirements could be accomplished in two 
ways, either by extending the transepts in length, or by a judicious use of 
the intermediate courts. The first supposition proved fallacious, and we 
think fortunately so for the appearance of the edifice. Mr. Hasenauer, 
the chief architect, being a man of both taste and tact, saw instantly that 
if the transepts were extended to various lengths, the result would be utterly 
ruinous to the general architectural effect of the whole design, and he pre- 
vented the possibility of any such action being taken, by putting perma- 
nent ornamental facades, in keeping with the central feature of the building, 
at the extremity of each transept. With regard to the courts, however, the 



20 A FEW PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING 

case was different. These courts were intended not only for the display of 
those exhibits from the Country in the adjoining transepts which could 
be shown in the open air, but also to afford opportunity to gain area under 
roof if required, and experience h^s proven that such area was required in 
almost every instance. 

For our own guidance we have no precedent by which we can judge so 
long previous to the opening of our exhibition, as to how much space each 
State and foreign nation will need. It is altogether a matter of individ- 
ual judgment. Although we do know, for instance, how much per cent, of 
the whole area of the Paris building, or the Vienna building was occupied 
by the United States, yet it does not at all follow that either France or 
Austria will require the same per centage of space in our Industrial Palace. 
The Philadelphia buildings should undoubtedly be adapted to the proper 
display of all offered exhibits that are found to be proper and suitable for 
admission, the more instructive and novel the better; but so long as neither 
their kind or number can be positively known, the building should be 
capable of adaptation to the great demands that will undoubtedly be made 
as the work progresses. It has frequently occurred at previous exhibitions 
that some of the most interesting articles have been offered for exhibition 
during the last six months previous to the grand opening. We would refer to 
the list of the various building and annexes forming the Vienna 1873 Ex- 
hibition, which accompanies this paper. Even a rapid glance at this list 
will convince any one of the immense variety and large size of the exhibits 
represented. By comparing this list and the final official plan of the 
Exhibition and grounds, with the early drawings of the Direction, it will 
at once be recognized how the demand for space both in the building and 
on the grounds increased as the work advanced, far beyond the most san- 
guine expectations of the officials in charge. In one of our reports from 
Vienna, we wrote as follows, which corroborates the above: "When the 
buildings were first located it was considered by the General Direction that 
ample space had been left on the intervening grounds for all extra buildings, 
but experience has shown that it would have been far better to have made 
greater allowance. The demand for building sites has been continually on 
the increase as the ist of May, 1873, approached, and consequently the 
authorities have been at loss to know where to provide sites for the numer- 
ous buildings that different nations and private parties are desirous of 
erecting. The piece of ground between the Industrial Palace and Machinery 
Hall, originally intended for walks and fountains, is now so densely built 
up that it resembles a Swiss settlement, with the houses arranged to face the 
main building. 

''In order to obtain space, it has also been necessary to roof in all the 
open courts on the side of the Industrial Palace next the Machinery Hall, and 
we notice that lately some of the front courts are treated in the same 
manner." 

ADAPTABILITY TO THE SITE IN FAIRMOUNT PARK. 

It has been very gratifying to Americans connected with the Centen- 
nial Commission, to observe the universal acknowledgment by all European 
engineers and architects who have examined the topographical map pre- 
pared by the Park Commissioners, of the adaptability of the site chosen, to 
the purposes of an exhibition. The capabilities of the Park being once 
appreciated, it only remains for the Commission to make the most of the 
site for the Exhibition. Fortunately there is no reason why, when locating 
the various buildings, boulevards, terraces, fountains, etc., such work should 
not be done as will meet the requirements of the occasion, and at the same 
time permanently improve the Park. 



THE UNITED STATES CENTENNIAL BUILDINGS. 21 

In this respect we would first call attention to the location of the 
Memorial Hall, as when that point is once settled definitely, other secondary 
considerations will be found to adjust themselves. It will be remembered 
that the tract of ground chosen by the Commissioners, and marked A on 
the Park map, slightly rises from all directions towards its centre. This 
necessitates locating the Memorial Hall so that when it is left as an isolated 
building, it may stand well upon the ground, the higher up the better, as is 
the case at Sydenham or Alexandra Palaces, near London. This uneven- 
ness of the ground also seriously affects the choice of a plan for the Indus- 
trial Palace, because on no consideration should the form of the temporary 
building be such as to force the permanent Memorial building out of its 
rightful position, viz: the best site on the ground. Future generations it is 
to be hoped will visit our Memorial Hall long after the temporary portion 
has been removed, and we owe it to them, if not to ourselves, to leave the 
permanent part of our Centennial work as well located as possible. 

The large illustrations accompartying this paper, show clearly the 
superb appearance of Sydenham and Alexandra Palaces, in consequence of 
their being admirably located at the highest portion of the ground. The 
treatment of the site at Sydenham in particular, shows great forethought 
and skill on the part of the management, in availing themselves of the 
natural advantages of the ground. With regard to a site for our own 
buildings, we would respectfully make the following suggestions : 

Standing at the highest point of the site marked A on the Park map, 
which tract has been definitely decided upon for the Industrial Palace, the 
conviction has forced itself upon us, that there are four different directions, 
exactly opposite and at right angles to each other, towards each of which 
some imposing part of our Palace should face, viz: towards Elm Avenue, 
towards the long view up the Schuylkill, towards George's Hill, and towards 
the Art Gallery. 

A view of the exterior of our Industrial Palace from any one of the 
above four directions should be an impressive one, because it will be 
proper from the very necessities of the case to provide the largest portals 
for the general admission of the public on those four sides, and the ques- 
tion of approach must be thought of. The Paris building, 1867, made but 
little pretension in this respect. Vienna, 1873, ^^^ ^^^ imposing approach 
towards the main entrance only. Sydenham, 1854, has the most imposing 
of all, when entered from the terrace. Philadelphia, 1876, has an oppor- 
tunity to accomplish more than either. 

Whether or not our Palace shall produce a favorable and impressive 
effect upon the visitor as he approaches it from a distance, deserves the 
most careful consideration. It seems to us that it should undoubtedly in- 
fluence the final selection of a plan, for if we must spend immense sums of 
money, let us have a building which is capable of appearing to advantage 
when seen from all directions. 

We have an immense amount to learn from our European friends in 
regard to the location of our public buildings, and we would most earnestly 
impress upon the Commission the importance of the proper placing of our 
Industrial Palace on the ground. The adoption of any plan that would 
necessitate a bad location for the Memorial Hall would be a blunder far 
worse than a crime. 

Extending our remarks from the Industrial Palace proper, to the gen- 
eral treatment of the whole of that portion of the Park which has been 
donated to Centennial purposes, we would suggest the following as the 
governing features in the arrangement of the Exhibition : 

The Industrial Palace being finally decided upon, both as to general 
plan and location, connect it with George's Hill by means of a wide 



2 2 ^ A FEW PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING 

boulevard, one hundred (loo) feet in the clear for vehicles, and fifty (50) 
feet on each side for pedestrians and equestrians. This boulevard to have 
at the very least three (3) rows of trees on each side, and to be capable of 
brilliant illumination at night by several rows of gas lamps on each side, 
with intervals between the lamps of not more than forty (40) feet. The 
Champs Elysees at Paris to serve as the model for the details of construc- 
tion ; and the system of watering as applied to the main drive along the 
Cliff at Brighton, in England, to be introduced. The idea for the treat- 
ment of George's Hill, viz: to locate on the plateau above, a permanent 
building of artistic merit, affording a pleasant resting place, and point of 
sight for seeing the whole Exhibition below, and to form a series of terraces, 
fountains, etc., leading down to the boulevard, was first suggested to us as 
far back as last winter by Mr. H. J. Schwartzman, Landscape Architect of 
the Fairmount Park Commission, who at that early time had partially 
developed a design for the treatment of that portion of the grounds. Mr. 
Schwartzman's idea, if carried out, will be undoubtedly just the right 
thing in the right place, and it can be accomplished at a comparatively 
small cost, compared with the great results to be attained. The building 
and terraces would not only be beautiful in themselves, but afford a prom- 
inent point of universal interest at the opposite end of the Exhibition 
Grounds from the Industrial Palace. The boulevard would become the 
general thoroughfare inside the Exhibition Grounds, and present an appear- 
ance as gay as the Haupt Allee, at Vienna. If at the same time the 
Machinery Department should be located on the tract south of the boule- 
vard, and the various out-door exhibits of private enterprise arranged so as 
to bring those which are most attractive into prominent positions along the 
north side, and on the slope of the hill towards the reservoir, the view from 
George's Hill would rival that of the Champs de Mars, in 1867, from the 
Trocadero. 

The Horticultural Department, if located on Lansdowne Terrace 
could be connected with the main boulevard by an avenue, which 
should lead down on the same centre line as the Horticultural buildings 
themselves, which avenue would intersect the boulevard at a point about the 
centre of its length. This intersection could be improved as at the 
^'Round Point" in the Champs Elysies. The Belmont Avenue could be 
retained, with increased width, for street cars, vehicles, equestrians and 
pedestrians. 

The above mentioned points furnish but an outline of one system of 
arrangement, but quite sufficient for present purposes, to prove that the site 
is capable of such treatment as would give us many good points not found 
at any previous Exhibition. 

If some such general features are adopted soon, the result will be that 
a clear, well-defined intention will be stamped upon the work at its very 
start, and system will be evident throughout. Each part of the Exhibition 
will not only appear well in itself, but be recognized as forming part of one 
grand design. 

Such action will also inspire confidence in the public as to the success 
of the Centennial movement much quicker than any other means, by giving 
the public a clear and satisfactory idea, illustrated by pictures distributed 
throughout the country, that their money is being spent in producing grand 
results, creditable to the country in 1876. 

We have spoken incidentally of the Machinery Hall as' being located 
on the south side of the main boulevard, viz: between it and Elm Avenue. 
The circumstances are such that the most direct railroad connection can be 
obtained upon that side, and as the area is ample for our purpose, it seems 



THE UNITED STATES CENTENNIAL BUILDINGS. 23 

evident that the Machinery Hall should be so placed. The location for the 
Agricultural Machinery Halls can only be judiciously decided upon when 
more is known as to how extensive they must be, and what interior arrange- 
ments may be required. Whether, for instance, they shall contain imple- 
ments and machines standing quietly in position, as usual in European 
exhibitions, or in motion, as has been done at the Cincinnati Industrial 
Exhibitions, of which Mr. A. T. Goshorn, Director General of the United 
States Centennial Exhibition, has been President. The same remark is 
also true with regard to all buildings required in connection with cattle 
shows, trials of speed of horses, trials of agricultural machines, warehousing 
of boxes, etc., etc. The reports and drawings accompanying this paper, 
show how each of these departments was provided for at Vienna. 

THE APPLICATION OF THE DUAL SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATION, AND PLANS 

OF EXHIBITIONS. 

The following points with regard to the application of the dual system 
of systematic and geographic classification, have been suggested to us in 
various conversations with parties who have had experience in previous 
Exhibitions. The dual system can be applied to any covered area, which 
has a proper width in proportion to its length, whether it be rectangular, 
circular, segmental or elliptical in plan, and in each case either system can 
run either way; but there will be found no one plan which is so complete 
that serious objections cannot be urged against it. We do not propose in 
this paper to discuss the relative merits of any of the various arrangements 
that have been proposed, but simply to call attention to some of the diffi- 
culties to be overcome in any building having curved corridors or a ground 
plan more or less rectangular in form. The Commission can best decide 
which shows the greatest capability for adaptation to our wants. 

We quote the following passage from Baron Schwarz-Senborn's lecture 
before the Engineers' and Architects' Association of Vienna. He said : 
"You will remember that the monotony of the building of Paris, 1867, 
was perfectly awful. It resembled a gigantic gasometer, and made but very 
poor impression on the mind, certainly no such impression as was created 
by the Exhibition building of 1851, in London." 

Again, the curved galleries used at Paris, in 1867, produced considera- 
ble inconvenience in carrying out the dual classification, in consequence of 
the radial segments being smaller at one end than at the other. 

It is not a satisfactory answer to this last remark to state that in cases 
where the exhibit was very large, it was extended into the neighboring seg- 
ment, because as soon as that variation is considered admissible, the clear- 
ness of the system is lost, and the whole arrangement becomes confused 
and *' unphilosophical." 

Again, curved corridors often occasion extra expense in the construc- 
tion, and what is of much importance for our consideration, they will be 
found much more difficult to be disposed of by sale, after the Exhibition 
closes, than if not curved. 

Also, in the opinion of many, the interior effect from a curved gallery 
or corridor, prolonged to a great length, is so confusing that the public 
often become uncertain as to which part of the curve they may be in at the 
time, and locomotion through the building then becomes very unsatisfac- 
tory. We have had this remark corroborated by many different parties who 
experienced annoyance in Paris, in 1867. The latter difficulty can be 
entirely overcome, however, by the introduction of naves or straight gal- 
leries intersecting the curved galleries, in which case the naves serve as 
points of reference when moving about in the building. This idea was 



24 



A FEW PRACTICAL CONS/DERATIONS CONCERNING 



much favored by Baron Von Weber, the eminent Saxon engineer, who has 
represented his country at very many of the leading exhibitions in Europe. 
Baron Von Weber suggested, for our purpose, an adaptation of the 
Paris building of 1867, which could be made by separating that structure 
along the centre of its shorter axis, and inserting between the two halves a 
lofty nave. The ends of the naves to be treated architecturally, and the 
centre part of it, or the whole if desirable, to be designed to form the per- 
manent Memorial Hall. This idea he thought could be developed so as to 
include most of the advantages to be found in previous exhibition buildings. 
There is, however, one class of curved buildings which does away 
with the defects incident to curved galleries and corridors, viz : those which 
like the Vienna Rotunda, are constructed so as to bring the whole exhibi- 
tion under one immense roof. The greatest living advocate for such con- 
structions, is Mr. Scott Russel, who prepared the original design for the 
Vienna Rotunda. Mr. Russel described to us, "as perfectly feasible, the 
construction of an Industrial Palace for our Exhibition, which should allow 
all the exhibits to be placed under a single roof, of one thousand (1000) 
feet span if necessary; which roof should be an example of Mr. Russel's 
system of conical roof construction. For a graphic account of this method 
of construction, which was proposed by Mr. Russel for the erection of the 
Rotunda, at Vienna, but not adopted by the Austrian authorities, we would 
refer to an article written by Mr. G. C. V. Holmes, Mr. Russel's resident 
engineer at Vienna, which was published in the London Engineering for 
March 14th, 1873. ^7 keeping this idea of one immense conical roofed 
building in view, and referring back to the suggestions given in our Report 
from Vienna of April 28th, 1873, Y^u will have the key to the motive which 
originated Mr. Russel's remarks in his conversation concerning our Palace. 
Whether or not such a building would be desirable for our purpose, the 
Commission can best decide. 

Buildings more or less rectangular in plan do not, as a general thing, 
concentrate all the exhibits around one central forum or meeting place, 
nearly as effectually as a building having curves, and the importance of 
providing some such central meeting place, be it a rotunda, dome or nave, 
with the buildings properly arranged in connection with it, is very great. 
*' After all, the most interesting study to human beings is human beings 
themselves," and that exhibition building which affords the most satisfac- 
tory opportunity for people see each other and appear to each other to the 
best advantage, will be in a fair way to great popularity from that single 
fact alone. A good opportunity to study human nature in this respect can 
be seen at the Crystal Palace at Sydenham, where, although there are so 
many objects of artistic merit throughout the building, yet the crowd seem 
to care but little for such exhibits, and attend much more frequently ''to 
spend a happy day," than to examine critically what is around them. All 
exhibitions are attended, more or less, for this same reason, and the popu- 
larity of such undertakings very much depends upon having a building so 
constructed that people can be entertained when en masse. 

Indirectly connected with this subject there is this thought also for 
consideration. A large item of expense, probably much more than will be 
realized at first, can be avoided by making the Memorial Hall so much of 
the integral part of the ground plan of the whole Industrial Palace that it 
can be utilized by placing some portion of each Department, or each 
country, in it. So many acres of temporary buildings can be thus saved. 
If the Memorial Hall does not form an integral part of the ground plan, it 
will be extremely difficult to use it in connection with the dual system of 
classification. 



THE UNITED STATES CENTENNIAL BUILDINGS 25 

At Vienna the permanent portion of the Industrial Palace, viz: the 
rotunda and square galleries, including the four largest courts, did ioxxw an 
integral part of the general plan of the building. Also at Paris, in 1855, 
the permanent Industrial Palace was used for the display of the various 
departments. 

We would most respectfully suggest a very thorough consideration of this 
point in all its bearings, particularly as there is a very decided opinion 
expressed by many, in favor of making our Memorial Building so entirely 
separate and distinct, as not to be utilized in furnishing available area for 
the application of the dual classification. Such would undoubtedly be a 
most expensive plan to carry out, and it is very questionable whether we 
could succeed between now and 1876 in executing in a creditable manner, 
so ambitious an undertaking. 

FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS WITH REFERENCE TO THE MATERIALS AND SUPER- 
STRUCTURE OF THE BUILDINGS. 

We shall obtain a clearer idea of what we can accomplish in this 
respect, by first finding out what materials we have at our disposal, and 
secondly, by noting some general lessons to be learned from the construc- 
tion of other exhibition buildings. 

It will be acknowledged by any one gifted with common sense, that we 
can build the cheapest, quickest and best, with the materials we are in the 
habit of using; and those materials are brick, colored stones and marble, 
iron, slate, glass and wood. The item bricks including terra cotta and tiles 
of various forms and colors. The list is a long one and speaks volumes as 
to the resources of the country in building materials. 

Perhaps it is not too much to say, that in our Exhibition buildings we 
can use, in a greater or less degree, any or all of the above materials, and 
still keep within the limits of our moderately skilled labor, and command a 
good class of work. 

Just in this connection we will renumerate some of the principal 
materials used for previous exhibition buildings: London, 185 1, was built 
principally of iron and glass, with wooden floors. The Munich, 1854, and 
Sydenham Palaces stand to-day with the same construction. London, 
1862, and the Alexandra Palaces have exterior walls of brick work, and cast 
iron columns for the interior supports, both wood and iron being used in 
the roof. Paris, 1867, had also brick walls and wooden floors, with iron 
used extensively, but in a way that was radically different from that in 
London, in 1851. 

The following extract from Baron Schwarz-Senborn's lecture, explains 
itself. When speaking with regard to the Paris building, of 1867, being 
saleable after the Exhibition closed, he remarks: 

"The Government of Wurtemburg was desirous of purchasing one 
part of the building and putting it up again in Stuttgart, so as to use it 
for a Trades-School-House. Mr. President von Steinbeis went on to 
Paris, accompanied by two other Engineers, but when he arrived there, he 
was forced to declare his opinion that it was impossible to carry out the 
idea, because it would cost more to break up the old building than it wouid 
to erect a new one in Stuttgart. The reason of this was, that the whole 
structure was rivetted together, and all the old rivets would have had to 
have been taken out. On this account the Commission of the Exposition 
sold off the old building merely as old iron. It was broken up into proper 
lengths and sold at thirteen (13) centimes the kilogramme, realizing for the 
whole only one million two hundred thousand (1,200,000) francs; by which 
transaction the contractors for the demolition made only from sixteen (16) 



26 A FEW PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING 

to eighteen (i8) thousand francs, their expenses being very heavy on 
account of the high rate of wages." 

With regard to the various materials used in the Vienna buildings, we 
would refer to our first report, and remark here, that rough brick walls with 
plaster finish, iron lattice posts and roof trusses, with wooden and zinc 
covering, predominated. 

The illustrations accompanying this paper, show what effect was 
obtained in each case. There is one lithograph, however, of the interior of 
the Brighton Aquarium, which is intensely suggestive to us as to what we 
can accomplish by a most effective use of very old means. This lithograph 
shows the great effect that may be obtained by the proper introduction of 
colored and glazed bricks, in connection with terra cotta and tiles. This 
Brighton Aquarium furnishes a suggestive example of a style of work in 
which we ought to excel, and which is extremely effective when properly 
introduced. An example of such brickwork is to be seen on the north side 
of the new Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, by Messrs. Furness & 
Hewitt, Architects, and several admirable specimens have been executed at 
Central Park, N. Y. There are many Americans to whom the brilliant 
colors that are to be found upon the terra cotta or brick construction of 
some of the oldest Italian cities, would be a new revelation, if reproduced 
in our Centennial Buildings. Fortunately it is quite within our ability to 
produce with moderately skilled labor, and at a reasonable cost, a similar 
effect. 

With regard to the use of our plain red bricks, the question may as 
well be stated plainly and without affectation. It will be much better to 
leave brick entirely out of consideration, when working up the design for 
our buildings, if in using them we shall be compelled to reproduce the 
intensely monotonous and unbearably stupid work that is to be seen around 
us already. As, however, the facts of the case are these, viz : that we can 
build quicker and cheaper in brick than in any other manner, and it is 
unreasonable to expect that such an immense construction as our Industrial 
Palace shall not be partly made of bricks; it remains for us to use them in 
the most effective manner possible. Taking all into considerMion, it is for- 
tunate we have such materials and labor equal to the emergency. It would 
be found for instance a physical impossibility to reproduce the superb 
designs, with bas reliefs in stucco and plaster, that form the exterior decora- 
tion of the Vienna building. The skilled labor which has been especially 
educated to that business for years, we could not command, to say nothing 
of the difficulty of obtaining sand of the peculiar quality used in the 
Vienna plastering, which is found in such abundance near that city. Also 
with regard to the immense amount of rivetted iron work used in the con- 
struction of both the Paris, 1867, and Vienna, 1873, buildings, we may just 
as well consider such construction as beyond our reach, both on account of 
the time required to execute it, and the great cost of such work in this 
country. 

In the many points to be observed in the construction of previous 
exhibition buildings, there are none more important for our consideration 
than those referred to by Baron Schwarz-Senborn in his remarks to the 
engineers and architects of Vienna. We therefore quote again from that 
valuable paper. Speaking of the London, 1851, Exhibition the Baron 
says: 

"I will not call your attention now to all the inconveniences and 
deficiencies which were found to exist in that building. One of the greatest 
however, not only here, but also in all later exhibitions, was the leaking in 
of rain through the roof, whereby a great number of the objects on exhibi- 



THE UNITED STATES CENTENNIAL BUILDINGS. 



27 



tion were damaged. This was a defect which occurred in a far greater 
degree in the year 1867 in Paris. Another objection was the galleries, 
which are always a source of trouble in an exhibition building. They 
caused much trouble and annoyance, both by the dust which they were the 
means of raising throughout the building, and by difficulty of access and 
installation. In addition to that, it became very evident that the number 
of people who visited the galleries, compared with those who circulated in 
the lower part, was an exceedingly small one indeed." 

''Another very perceptible inconvenience was the insufficiency of doors, 
which was the cause of much confusion, especially during the fourteen days 
previous to the opening of the Exhibition, when the greatest shipments of 
goods arrived at the doors of the Exhibition at one time." 

" I have seen in London, in the years 185 1 and 1862, and in Paris, in 
1855 and 1867, the time during the last few days before the openings, when 
there have been such quantities of wagons and railway carriages, standing 
outside of the doors of the Exhibition, that they have been kept waiting 
from six to eight days and nights, because they could not be unloaded, 
there being no sufficient space for the purpose. On account of the too few 
entrances, the empty boxes could not be got away quick enough." 

"Another objection lay in the grouping of the countries. The Exhibi- 
tion building was so divided that one half of the space was given to the 
home country, England or France, and the other half to foreign countries. 
The consequence of that arrangement was, that the goods of one nation 
were dragged through the space of another, boxes often went astray and 
had to be looked for through all kinds of foreign departments." 

''The want of sufficient light, or rather I should say the unequal dis- 
tribution of the light, was another drawback. Many portions of the. build- 
ings had too much light, whilst others were quite in the shade. This 
circumstance gave rise to a great many complaints." 

We regret, however, to have to add to this extract from the Baron's 
lecture, that all the above difficulties were not avoided at Vienna. For 
instance, the leak of rain through the roof was not prevented. On one 
occasion after a storm, we, ourselves, counted seventy-eight separate leaks 
through the plate iron roof of the Rotunda, the canvas lining, however, 
protected the articles below. We have learned also since leaving Vienna, that 
during the prevalence of some heavy storms, many of the courts and gal- 
leries were found very imperfect in keeping out the rough weather. With 
regard to the provision of numerous doors, however, for entrance and exit, 
the Vienna Industrial Palace undoubtedly does show a great improvement 
upon any previous exhibition building. Also in omitting useless galleries, 
an annoyance and trouble was obviated. 

With regard to that portion of the Industrial Palace which is to be 
temporary, there is also this consideration to be remembered: temporary 
and cheap are not synonomous terms when applied to exhibition buildings, 
for this reason: When designing with such a purpose in view, the first con- 
sideration must be to provide proper protection for the articles exhibited, 
and it must be remembered that some articles require more careful protec- 
tion than others. A case in point could be easily imagined where one 
exhibit would require a more costly building to properly protect it for one 
month, than another would for a whole year. At Vienna this was so fully 
appreciated, that the temporary parts of the Palace were almost as costly as 
the permanent portions, the chief difference being made in manner of pro- 
viding foundations. 

If the superstructure of our temporary buildings is made so cheaply as 
not to afford satisfactory protection against fire and weather, the very 



28 THE UNITED STATES CENTENNIAL BUILDINGS. 

object for which they are intended will be defeated. Exhibitors will not 
trust their goods where the risk is very great. 

The importance of proper railway communications, which shall bring 
building material and exhibits, and afterwards transfer visitors from the city 
to the grounds, has already been referred to in our report. The most satis- 
factory example of the rapid and convenient transfer of people to and from 
an exhibition building, is undoubtedly to be found at Sydenham, near Lon- 
don. An entirely satisfactory arrangement for the carrying and distribution 
of freight has yet to be devised. 

The experiences at Paris, 1867, and Vienna, 1873, ^^so impress one 
with the conviction that it seriously affects the gross receipts of an exhibi- 
tion, not to have the work upon the buildings and grounds completed at 
the time of the opening ceremonies. Buildings partly full of scaffolding, 
showing unfinished plastering, unpacked boxes, and lack of arrangement in 
all directions, make it impossible that the Inauguration should pass off with 
eclat, and the good results from a popular success be assured from the com- 
mencement. A poor opening in the presence of so very many of the great 
from all parts of the world, who are invariably present on such occasions, 
and invariably expect a creditable display, is not unlike a faux pas at the 
very start. 

HENRY PETTIT, 

Special Agent United States Centennial Commission. 



